Echoes from the Sabine Farm eBook

On thirsty Apulia ne’er has the sun
Inflicted such terrible heat;
As for Hercules’ robe, although poisoned, ’t
was fun
When compared with this garlic we eat!
Maecenas, if ever on garbage like this
You express a desire to be fed,
May Mrs. Maecenas object to your kiss,
And lie at the foot of the bed!

AN EXCUSE FOR LALAGE

To bear the yoke not yet your love’s submissive
neck is bent,
To share a husband’s toil, or grasp his amorous
intent;
Over the fields, in cooling streams, the heifer longs
to go,
Now with the calves disporting where the pussy-willows
grow.

Give up your thirst for unripe grapes, and, trust
me, you shall learn
How quickly in the autumn time to purple they will
turn.
Soon she will follow you, for age steals swiftly on
the maid;
And all the precious years that you have lost she
will have paid.

Soon she will seek a lord, beloved as Pholoe, the
coy,
Or Chloris, or young Gyges, that deceitful, girlish
boy,
Whom, if you placed among the girls, and loosed his
flowing locks,
The wondering guests could not decide which one decorum
shocks.

AN APPEAL TO LYCE

Lyce, the gods have heard my prayers, as gods will
hear the dutiful,
And brought old age upon you, though you still affect
the beautiful.
You sport among the boys, and drink and chatter on
quite aimlessly;
And in your cups with quavering voice you torment
Cupid shamelessly.

For blooming Chia, Cupid has a feeling more than brotherly;
He knows a handsaw from a hawk whenever winds are
southerly.
He pats her pretty cheeks, but looks on you as a monstrosity;
Your wrinkles and your yellow teeth excite his animosity.

For jewels bright and purple Coan robes you are not
dressable;
Unhappily for you, the public records are accessible.
Where is your charm, and where your bloom and gait
so firm and sensible,
That drew my love from Cinara,—­a lapse
most indefensible?

To my poor Cinara in youth Death came with great celerity;
Egad, that never can be said of you with any verity!
The old crow that you are, the teasing boys will jeer,
compelling you
To roost at home. Reflect, all this is straight
that I am telling you.